Fatal Piper Cherokee Crash Near Coburg-Steinrücken

Casualties unknown • nahe Flugplatz Coburg Steinrücken, DE

A private flight ended in tragedy near Coburg-Steinrücken, Germany, when a Piper PA 28-181 collided with trees, resulting in four fatalities.

What happened

On August 5, 2012, at approximately 06:16 local time, a Piper PA 28-181 departed from the Coburg-Steinrücken airfield for a private pleasure flight. The aircraft was accompanied by three passengers. Witnesses observed the aircraft rotate and lift off from the grass runway at approximately 150 meters after the fourth runway marker, exhibiting a high angle of attack.

Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude. Approximately 370 meters past the end of the runway, the left wing struck the treetops of a nearby forest. Following a 30-degree rightward drift, the aircraft crossed a path for a new high-speed rail line and collided with the edge of a forest located in the extension of runway 07. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground and subsequently burst into flames. All four fatalities occurred as a result of the impact injuries.

The investigation

The BFU investigation focused on the mechanical condition of the aircraft, the engine, and the flight parameters. The engine, a Lycoming-O-360-A4M, was examined and showed no signs of functional failure; components such as pistons and connecting rods were found to be in working order. The propeller, an electrically adjustable three-blade type, was found in a low-pitch takeoff configuration, with blades broken at the hub due to the impact.

Fuel samples taken from the airfield were analyzed and found to be of appropriate quality, meeting DIN EN 228 standards. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane had undergone a 50-hour inspection recently and was within its airworthiness limits. The investigation also examined the position of the flap lever, which was found in the extended position at the crash site.

Findings

  • The pilot rotated the aircraft at a low airspeed and a high angle of attack.
  • The aircraft likely entered an aerodynamic stall or an exaggerated flight state immediately after takeoff.
  • The use of fully extended flaps may have contributed to the accident by making it more difficult to increase airspeed.
  • The pilot's limited experience with this specific aircraft model may have prevented the recognition of the deteriorating flight condition and the necessary corrective action of reducing the elevator input.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot rotating the aircraft at a low speed and a high angle of attack, leading to an unrecovered stall-like condition that resulted in a collision with trees.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-08-05 Piper Aircraft Corporation PA 28-181 accident near nahe Flugplatz Coburg Steinrücken, DE?

A private flight ended in tragedy near Coburg-Steinrücken, Germany, when a Piper PA 28-181 collided with trees, resulting in four fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-08-05 involved a Piper Aircraft Corporation PA 28-181, at nahe Flugplatz Coburg Steinrücken, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot rotating the aircraft at a low speed and a high angle of attack, leading to an unrecovered stall-like condition that resulted in a collision with trees.

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